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It just occurred to me that the people that loaned TM a sizable chunk of cash, possibly waited the longest for delivery, and ultimately paid the most for their cars are the ones that are bearing the brunt of the various issues discussed on this forum. Their patience and feedback to TM are going to make owners like myself get a more mature, feature-rich, and reliable vehicle, and I think I speak for the rest of the non-Sig purchasers when I say: Thank You.

Carl Barlev | December 6, 2012

I second that :)

jat | December 6, 2012

I agree. Such is the price of being an early adopter, and one of the reasons I decided against upgrading to a signature when I could have (aside from paying for options I didn't want).

Cattledog | December 6, 2012

Well said GAS, thank you to all sig owners.

Ohms.Law | December 6, 2012

To all Sig owners wherever you are, Getting Amped Soon is right on. We who follow are in your debt. Thank you!

kent | December 6, 2012

It's worth any inconvenience to show and share the amazing story called Tesla Model S. Improvements via software updates are absolutely amazing! Yes, later adopters will benefit from the early signatures, but I'll never regret it!

Signature #121

jbunn | December 6, 2012

Yep. Not only did they sign on to do it, they stood in line and paid for the privilige.

I feel I'm in the same group with S model V1.0. Seriously, i know I'm going to take a beating. I know someone that purchased a CD player for 1,000 bucks nearly 30 years ago. I got mine a couple years later for 200 bucks. I could only afford 5 CD's and I played them over and over. Sold my turntable to do it. Today a CD player is 20 bucks. But without the guy that got it for 1,000, and all the people that purchased for 200, we would never be at 20. Or have CDs. Or one might suggest we would not have digital music today.

Ten years from now the model S 4.0 will have telepathic interface, do zero to 60 in under 2 seconds, get 1,000 miles per charge, and cost under 30,000. True? Well, probably not, but that is more or less in keeping with technology curves.

Point is, without early adopters, technology changes will not occur. I'm at a point where I can affort to take a beating for the team, enjoy the best in class car for a few years until it's quaint, and help move human progress along.

Three cheers for the Sig owners, Elon, and all the believers that know electric vehicles are the future.

kelly | December 6, 2012

Well, as a Sig owner I can tell you I'm happy too! It certainly did feel like a leap of faith (at least to me) heading into the delivery window, but I'm sure it was nothing compared to the leap of faith Elon Musk and the rest of the Tesla founders took to get the company to where it is today! Go Tesla!

To all you patient non-sig reservation holders, all I can say is the wait is worth it! Enjoy

rd_redford | December 6, 2012

All true. But then again, anyone buying a car in the next year or so is pretty much doing the same thing, really.

I for one am happy to be on the "bleeding edge" for the privilege of owning this fine vehicle.

I am pondering. however, whether Tesla is viable enough for me to plop down the additional money for the extended warranty ...

stevenmaifert | December 6, 2012

Yes, thank you all.

Bennett R. | December 6, 2012

Thanks for taking one for the team!

JakeP | December 6, 2012

Indeed, thank you Sigs. Especially the ones who have gone to great lengths to share their experiences with all of us (and Tesla), to make our transition to Model S ownership all the better.

I hope Tesla does something very, very special to recognize the Sigs, even if it is years down the road, when they are the #1 car company worldwide.

jd3tm | December 6, 2012

Although, as a Signature owner, I appreciate the complements. I have to say that I believe that I'm one of the 1000 lucky ones!

I got to:

-build a special relationship with a number of TMC folks...Alex Frank gave 15 Roadster Hot Wheels to my GF's son over the year I waited for my Model S. Actually, I didn't run into a single TM employee who hasn't been enthusiastic and friendly during this adventure.

-provide ideas, feedback, complaints, praises...all taken with grace and style.

-go to the Fremont plant and events from Beta to First DRIVES, not just RIDES on this phenomenal car and enjoy the kinship with others who were lucky enough to have the same privilege.

-live through the up's and down's of delayed delivery, anticipation, and eventually getting my hands on a piece of future History (I believe).

All in all, an absolutely Super Ride! I know that the rest of you will have similar feelings when you finally get your Model S.

Congrats and Enjoy,

jd3
Sig 692

TikiMan | December 6, 2012

Most fun I have ever had in my life beta-testing anything! I wouldn't change it for anything! :-)

Brian H | December 6, 2012

Slightly modified:

KING HENRY V:
This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remember'd;
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his funds with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition:
And gentlemen in America now a-bed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That spent with us upon Saint Crispin's day.

pilotSteve | December 6, 2012

@jd3tm: +1 Going to the Fremont test ride and factory event was super special. And I got the first test drive at my local Tesla store, plus got to chat with George B for 15 minutes afterward.

Finally taking delivery last weekend made it all truly worthwhile.

@GettingAmpedSoon - thanks for the thread.

MB3 | December 6, 2012

And remember that the Sig Owners continue to remain involved as Tesla Ambassadors on these forums and in other public forums. It is a pretty amazing movement. Salute Elon and Co, Tesla, and the Sig Owners.

William13 | December 7, 2012

I give rides every other day as one "cost" of beta testing.

Vawlkus | December 7, 2012

All hail the pioneers! Without them, we'd be going nowhere

HooRah

Jolinar | December 7, 2012

I believe that best ad is no ad, because happy owner makes the best ad while company don't have to spend a penny on it :)

Brian H | December 7, 2012

"You can't buy free publicity."

By definition.

Thumper | December 7, 2012

I don't post very often, but here'd a big thank you to the Sigs! Hip Hip Hooray!

Brian H | December 7, 2012

Every GP reservationist should send $1 to every Sig owner. <:)

portia | December 8, 2012

@brianH I am sure you did not mean to exclude the sisters, mothers, daughters.. :)

It is an amazing ride, pun intended, great fun and privilege to be on the bleeding edge.
+1 Tiki Man
+1 jd3tm
+1 pilotsteve

sig 181 (are people using the reservation number for this?) VIN 402 with Tesla grin

Brian H | December 8, 2012

portia;
You'll have to take it up with Willy Shakesticker, the chauvinistic writer from the beknighted long-ago.

The speech, of course, presaged one of the first major triumphs of secret battlefield weapons. It was at Agincourt, against the massed flower of French knighthood. The technological edge was supplied by Welsh longbowmen, who mowed down the heavily armored knights on lumbering destriers like chaff.

sergiyz | December 9, 2012

As one of those suckers who also never purchased a first production year car before (usually wait a year or more) I did put some logic behind it other than "I want it NOW":
- it has way less parts than ICE and is a relatively simple setup
- electric motors have been in use for ages on all kinds of equipment, so I didn't have any concerns with that, but mostly with fancy electronics and the battery
- you get more attention from the manufacturer since there's fewer cars for them to take care of yet, and since they understand the importance of having early adopters happy
- I live about 30 mi from the factory and a service center in Menlo Park, so it's no more different than going to a dealer for BMW or whoever else, but with no long lines and appointments.

So far this worked pretty well for me, but your mileage may vary.
And yes, as an early adopter you have to be ready for surprises, some unpleasant, but overall it has been a great experience so far.

pilotSteve | December 20, 2012

Received a very nice present from Tesla today: a cool logo'ed bag and a card that said, in part: "Thank you. You are in the elite class of Signature Model S owners that has helped to pave the way for our children and grandchildren to live in a clean world powered by electric vehicles".

It goes on to say "On behalf of every Tesla employee, we owe you our gratitude".

Unexpected and a lovely gesture. Not sure if everybody that ordered a Sig gets one, its random or just what, but it sure was a surprise.

Thank YOU Tesla for building the product we are all so passionate about. And Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays to all!

dahtye | December 20, 2012

I received this very nice present from Tesla as well. It was a very pleasant surprise. It really makes me feel that we are helping change the world - one car at a time! I love Tesla motors and my Sig (res #567) even more now.

Yes, I will use this duffle bag proudly.

sergiyz | December 21, 2012

yep, got one too, shipped to my old address ;)
it's a very nice gesture indeed.
thank you Tesla !